Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat) opposes the use of the abbreviation 'Harapan' for any political organisation apart from the party in this country as it could confuse the people in Sabah.

Its president Lajim Ukin, however, said the party would not oppose the use of the abbreviation for any non-governmental organisation (NGO).

"Harapan Rakyat wishes to lodge a protest with the Registrar of Society (ROS) where several political parties wished to be registered using the abbreviation 'Harapan'. For example Parti Harapan Malaysia, this is a problem. Many people may be confused on the position of Harapan Rakyat.

"Although Pakatan Harapan did not register, we also want to protest because the use of the word 'Harapan' in the organisation can confuse the people in the state of Sabah," he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.

Thus, Lajim urged the ROS to reject the registration of any political party wishing to register using the abbreviation. 

He said if Umno and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) could oppose the use of the word 'Bersatu' for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, then parti Harapan Rakyat could also oppose the use of the word "Harapan" for any other political party as the party had already used the word.

At the media conference, Lajim also announced the entry of the former adviser of United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan Peter Kong into Parti Harapan Rakyat and subsequently appointed him as the party's deputy president III to fill up the Chinese quota.

- Bernama